1st Asian BirdLife Festival and Nature Expo 2020, Thailand

The “1st Asian BirdLife Festival and Nature Expo 2020” was held during 18-19 January 2020 in Thailand with 35 local and 9 international partners participated in the event.

Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) in collaboration with the National Science Museum (NSM) and Toyota held the “1st Asian BirdLife Festival and Nature Expo 2020” at Rama 9 Museum, Pathum Thani. The event was honored by Dr. Yutthaphon Angkinan, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, as the chair of the opening ceremony on 18 January 2020.

The objectives of the event include promoting nature education and awareness among children and general public, presenting conservation efforts by nature conservation organizations both from Thailand and abroad, fundraising for conservation projects and strengthening the network between local conservation organizations, as well as BirdLife partners all around Asia.

Dr. Kaset Sutasha, Chairman of BCST, expressed that “The 1st Asian BirdLife Festival and Nature Expo is the biggest bird conservation event in Asia which brings together both Thai and international organizations from all around the region. Apart from raising awareness on environmental issues for the visitors, it is the event that showcases conservation efforts that are being done in Thailand to the world”.

Activities within the festival include showcasing bird and nature conservation efforts by both Thai and international organizations, talks and lectures by experts, wildlife photography exhibition, nature games by “Doo Nok” application and VR (virtual reality) technology by True Corporation, as well as drinks from Jungle Café by CP B&F Thailand.

Mr. Prapanpong Maknual, Deputy Director of Social Enterprise Activities Division, True Corporation, expressed the importance of bird conservation and environmental protection in daily life, as well as combining technological innovation and conservation, such as the “Doo Nok” application which is developed by True Corporation in collaboration with BCST, to make knowledge about birds and environment more accessible to the public. Art exhibitions and workshops, as well as booths by local and international partners were also showcased at the festival.

Moreover, to strengthen the support for conservation organizations in South-east Asia, Toyota aligning with one of its global environmental challenges 2050 to “Establish a future society in Harmony with Nature” also held a symbolic handover of Toyota Car Donation program to the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) – a BirdLife International partner in Myanmar, presided by Mr. Yoshiaki Ishimoto, Vice President of Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing, Co., Ltd., in the presence of Mr. Yoshihisa Tonozuka, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Myanmar Co., Ltd. This initiative also recognizes and helps nurture the nearly extinct Spoon-billed Sandpiper in the region with the broader goal of conserving natural environment which is essential for the society.

Mr. Yoshiaki commented, “In line with our goal to help achieve a “future society with harmony with nature” as part of the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota is committed in working with partners to enrich the natural environment surrounding our communities. We believe the donated car will be well used to support BANCA’s essential efforts to preserve the biodiversity in the country of Myanmar.”

Profits raised from the event will support the conservation of the rare and critically endangered species in Thailand with the focus on migratory shorebirds such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Great Knot and Far Eastern Curlew. BCST continues to drive its mission towards the conservation of these globally endangered species which migrate to the coastal areas of Pak Thale and Laem Phak Bia in Ban Laem, Phetchaburi regularly during winter.